Redneck Reviving my Wife’s 2021 F250 LEMON

[@ThunderHead289]

Edit: confirmed by ford, the integrated board was fried - it has been replaced and they paid for it. Now before the comments roll in, let me say that I normally wouldn’t touch a warranty capable truck. BUT since the vet box company already wired stuff to the truck, and it had already been touched, I saw no harm in doing the same. Plus we needed it NOW, can’t wait for a dealership, we will take it in, but she couldn’t go without it due to her job. edit: its not our truck, the truck is owned by the vet business she works for. they gave me the green light to make it work however I could as fast as I could (busy weekend for her - luckily I work M-F, so I was around). you all know that I'm alergic to new things - prime example why right here.

[@undertakerfire7810]

This is the newest thing I’ve ever seen you touch.. Lol I agree also, dealers take forever by the time they “get you in” and “fix” it..

[@catfisher420]

The vet box install probably voided the warranty on the truck.

[@jasonspringett5367]

I must say I've allways loved ur ingenuity!! Its genius.. allways exciting to see when u post new stuff.. wish you would post more often...

[@SpaceMulva]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX_HeXykoridptk

[@joeidaho5938]

What I don't understand...is getting a 2021 truck....when you have what is actually a more reliable and easier to maintain truck....in a 90s F250. I would never give up my 92 F250 for something newer...and way more expensive to maintain....and more likely to strand you somewhere. In 14 years of having my 92, I've had only two incidents.....one was my tranny and needing to get it rebuilt....and the other was my fuel pump....the latter was easily fixed myself. I did eventually learn to rebuild my e4od...after a tranny shop fucked up a rebuild badly. Every person I"ve known that has a bought one of the new 10 speed Ford trannies...has had serious problems over time.

[@notapplicable430]

As a lifelong redneck...I approve of this repair.

[@earlyre]

This kind of redneck repair pops up in all sorts of places you'd never think of... Years back(~89), one of moms HS classmates who's done very well for himself, flew the whole class out to his house in San Jose for their class reunion. Big fancy custom built house in the hills, probably a couple million in the late 80's... Many of the gang boxes where there should be a light switch, there were no switches. He just twisted and untwisted the wires with his bare fingers to turn the lights off/on. That's bright bare live wires sticking out all over in this fancy house, and you want that light on? Just twist these 2 wires together.

[@jodywales6760]

HOLD MY BEER

[@colinl9018]

Redneck manual 101....Not purdy but it works..

[@devisionhun]

“Gets real banjo pickin’ real fast…” my wife came in and asked if I’m ok, I laughed so loud. Dude, I miss your regular videos and these comments so much! Glad you still post occasionally :)

[@larrycroft470]

Luke it is so good to see you again!! You are one of the brightest young men on the internet. God bess you & your lovely wife.

[@ladonnaghareeb4609]

You are so very talented! My husband and I are amazed at what you are able do. May God Bless you and your lovely wife. Stay safe.

[@Double.J]

Ford doesn't put the 5.0 gas in the F250, the only gas options are the 6.2 or 7.3. You definitely don't have the coyote engine in that thing. I assume you only have the 6.2 since that's the cheaper and most common engine in the XL package and it does just fine for your wife's application.

[@TakuroSpirit77]

This is 100% what Dodge does. There's even a recall on some to install an auxiliary outside relay to bypass the one in the "Totally Integrated Power Module" (TIPM) and you can use the recall relay kit on pretty much anything. Comes in handy when stuff like this happens, and you don't want or can't replace a $500+ relay power module.

[@kellyconstenius676]

Yup.. I carry a spare TIPM for my 08 Town and Country. Has had a intermittent issue since we have had the vehicle. If the temp is just right and the humidity is just right. BINGO!! She turns off while driving for no reason. And the Van does not know its not running. Then it will just restart. With zero indication what is wrong. I usually reset the TIPM by hooking the battery cables together for an hour or two. The as soon as I think everything is good to go. BINGO!! off she goes. Right at the rail road tracks. 😞 !! I figure it is a TIPM issue but could also be a Issue with the key fob reader thing. Forgetting there is a key in it.

[@kevinkirschenheuter1479]

Thats why Im a mechanic not an engineer. I couldnt live with myself counting myself among the sort of emptyhead that would use the word 'totally' in a part name.

[@neilvetter662]

@@kevinkirschenheuter1479 Totally!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

$500 is enough for a frikkin power station relay !!

[@ronaldtillinghast6600]

Today's cars and VANS and trucks aint what they use to be today . 👍🙏yes they make them nicer looking so what they gotta add so much stuff one electric issue can stop everything give me a vehicle before 2005 and im good im simple and so can my vehicle less money less headaches hey i thank your wife for the job she does saving animals god bless her

[@WilliamHollinger2019]

Well 2005 ok 2015 is my cut off but not 2016 f150 that is my cut off of the f150. I like honda and Toyota I know todays cars are cheap. Maybe that is standard today's so crap breaks time for replacing the whole car.

[@dri50]

I just looked at the wiring diagram for our 2021 Bronco Sport. In the Starting System section it shows the Starter Relay as part of the Battery Junction Box and the note says "non-serviceable". on the relay. it also shows a 30 amp fuse in the circuit to the starter motor solenoid. So it sounds like the F150 is setup the same way.

[@davidcolesr.8628]

Good Looking Out, Hopefully This Could Shed Some Light or Insight to a Solution

[@AdamReveal]

as a tech for ford, BJB (battery junction box) water intrusion is pretty common on f250/350. incredible you hit the nail on the head with none of the schematics, we have techs that can't do it with that info lol. keep up the great work. also impressed ford covered it when it was clearly at fault of the upfitters.

[@donnabrown9476]

Nice truck Emily! Good for you. So proud of everything you have accomplished. I will never forget how hard you studied to get through college. When you would visit I always admired how dedicated you were to studying when the guys were off doing Kevin and Luke adventures. Keep up the great work! Nice to have your own personal mechanic! Miss you guys!

[@ThunderHead289]

I’ll relay the message to her, she doesn’t watch anything I do on KZbin, so she’d probably never see this. Very proud of her as well, she went through so so much. I’m sure sometime this summer we’ll have some time - I even still have one of my own cars there I know!

[@martinmcdoniel4551]

Cool to see you Luke! Sorry about your wifes truck. But its good to see a new video from you sir!

[@ThunderHead289]

Oh just wait, I have something wild coming down the pipe that’s classic me as all get out

[@davidcolesr.8628]

@@ThunderHead289 Looking Forward to it

[@jerryb1234]

We have a 2012 F-150 with the Coyote 5.0, and one of those types of fuses blew once that went too the fuel-pump, it only had 30k miles on it at the time, it took me about 2 or 3 hours to find and fix it, but that's when I learned about all the different types of fuses used, ridiculous!, great video Luke, and thanks for sharing.

[@thefordmaniac]

Theres a tsb to relocate the fuse and circuit to a bigger pin and fuse in the under hood fuse box

[@raynetorrin]

Love the fix. My only suggestion is to move those wires under the hood so that people don't mess with them or bump into them. Also since that is romex. you could put a light switch on it and just flip up to start down to disengage the starter. less hassle for the wife as there is less to think about.

[@markcollins457]

The switch idea is good but I needs to be a momentary switch if your going to rig something up make it safe even if it's temporary. The momentary switch will mimic the start position. You don't want that starter trying to engage at 50mph.

[@mikeparker2865]

@@markcollins457 Could rig up a push button?

[@Z-Ack]

Dont do this.. this dumb shit is how fires happen.. you also dont use romex thhn or any kinda house cable in a car ever, you dont use solid core. You want an oxygen free stranded 14ga wire.. any color.. and you can buy that split duct sheathing to protect the cabling, because any cable you have under the hood if not secured will rub shit and eat the jacket causing a short and likely a fire.. unless a right sized fuse is used then youd risk it burning the cable up and arcing out on some shit.. its not hard to fix the damn thing and putting a godamn light switch on a fucking 2021 vehicle is about as s, ya know, yea do that shit.. run some 14-2 to a sp light switch under the hood.. maybe itll teach others that if they dont know how and take easy ways out of shit then maybe dont fuck with it and bring it to somebody who does.. darwin needs to get back on top of things, way way too much fucktard breeding going on nowadays... hell wire a dimmer switch to the damn thing, make it mood lighting for the critters.. lol.. and getche a windshield decal that says "derp" in some bold letters..

[@brianroness103]

Run a rocker switch or a button switch inside the cab....

[@farmerchad62]

A momentary switch would be perfect, that is exactly what you're ignition switch is on older vehicles.

[@Drmcclung]

Some advice that always works for me with modern under-hood electronics, particularly on Chrysler & Ford junk: Here in Houston Tx, where nothing ever, ever fully dries out because when it's not raining it's perpetually @ 100% humidity right at the dew point.. It can literally rain inside of a vented fuse box when they sit overnight & the moisture condenses.. SO, we see this a lot and what we typically do is disconnect the battery, shunt the terminals exactly as you did, get a can of deoxit (really any one of the cheapest aerosol electronics parts cleaner does the job; do NOT use WD!!) and absolutely soak every single fuse before even pulling them. Let it sit at least 5 minutes to flash off, then individually pull every single fuse and relay ONE at a time. Just pull it out and put it back in to scrub the oxidation off the lugs. Anything that looks like it got hot but isn't blown is getting more oxidation resistance than is wanted.. often this pull and re-seat solves intermittent wonkiness. If it's REALLY crusted up with that nasty white oxide than these cheap fuse spades & terminals like to create just wet the socket & fuse/relay with more cleaner and re-seat it a few times while wet. If you really need to get things fairly bullet proofed what I personally do is wipe a bit of bulb grease on all the spades (it tends to last longer than regular dielectric grease) and this tends to last a few years in the nastiest of "not ideal conditions". Just my 2 cents from the perpetually hot, wet & nasty capitol of the US!! Haha! The biggest thing to keep in mind is how awful the metallurgy is with whatever these terrible fuses, relays and sockets are plated with.. it's not real chrome. And really, really likes to make its oxidation with water and air. TLDR: Grease up all the lugs and she'll mostly quit being weird. If you don't, excessive current & resistance wreaks havoc on the CAN bus & various computers/controllers in the vehicle. This is just where we are now.

[@Drmcclung]

As far as these new school non serviceable relays built into the box go, you absolutely can and should get some aerosol non conductive grease sprayed inside the box (as much as you can get to soak through the openings) before they inevitably fry. It goes a long way to keep them working. Anything to repel moisture really is key. Just don't use WD, it sometimes interferes with Fine Chinesium™ Plastics. Most spray on electrical greases I've used haven't caused any problems with plastic. Just something else I felt the need to add. But use the bulb grease on everything you can physically touch

[@sherwoodbaker2714]

So where do you sell your awesomely engineered truck that isn’t “junk?”

[@Drmcclung]

We don't hahahaha! We just avoid Chrysler, Ford and GM.. in that exact order.. Chryslers even brand new are a lost cause here, they can't tolerate our perpetual damp no matter what you do, absolutely fecal; Ford trucks are mostly doable as long as you buy brand new and promptly lube up every single electrical contact with any kind of electrical grease; GM so far has had the most reliable electronics right out of the box, fine for light use but if you're pulling anything even sorta regularly, buy the Ford.. GM transmissions are prone to premature wear if they even look at a trailer

[@camgrant2264]

Gm is as bad if not worse than ford and dodge

[@Drmcclung]

Oh I totally agree, it's just that in our application in our local unique perpetually hot & wet environment GMs (electronics) seem to hold up better right out of the box more than Ford, definitely Chrysler. We'll typically see hardware failures before electrical issues, particularly in the 4Lxxx/6Lxxx transmission platform especially when they're used for pulling.. in any capacity. I think Ford has a better overall truck platform (chassis) but that statement's loaded with caveats. Chrysler pickups are so bad overall that 75% of the time I won't even allow them the shop (Daimler era was an utter joke!). Cummins makes a fine engine (I'll take that over any Navistar!), but the trucks themselves are just a total nightmare to live with on the daily. Even diehard Mopar guys can agree on this, especially for the Daimler era

[@markcollins457]

My own background is in controls, the basics apply to most electric/electronics and what you did as a "NOW" fix is perfect. Most people would be calling a tow truck to drop it to dealer then dealer would say it was the vet box insert people and the truck would sit for weeks. Great bandaid.

[@travwold7669]

Let’s see how do I put this: I feel so stupid when watching Luke work for r when he describes something. But on the same hand I don’t feel bad about it because I admire his humble personality and he comes across as a very kind person. Thank you Luke I actually have learned some valuable techniques from you , but I can only grasp a portion of what you know

[@clinthunt6616]

My daughter's explorer did the same thing. I hooked up a no friends switch and laid it on the dash, used it that way until the transmission went out. Plus it was funny trying to watch other people try to start it regular.

[@DUSaggin]

looks like in the mean time you need to wire up the good old secret push start button inside the cab. got to love that old school solutions are still needed even on "modern" vehicles.

[@tomzandmicky8239]

As usual…a master class in automotive wizardry. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy you wrangle solutions to so many. “Issues”. Thanks for sharing!

[@garywinters2282]

Luke I truly love your work around for the problem!

[@nicknackdaddyack]

Thanks Luke! Man I tell you what...all the fancy shmancy junk in newer vehicles is ONLY done so a fella or gal HAS to take their vehicle into the shop and spend time and money. Even a warranty sometimes doesn't cover what is "wrong".

[@TheMgcracka]

ABSOLUTELY. Give me an old vehicle anyday. Hot 12v lead , air and fuel is all that's needed. New stuff is waaaaay OVER engineered. Putting an end to shadetree mechanics unfortunately.

[@16vSciroccoboi]

Yeah all that stuff like factory security systems to make sure your truck is still there when you leave the movie theater, remote start, fuel efficiency and emissions are just really not worth it.

[@CNCmachiningisfun]

Wow! I had the very same problem with my brand new excavator. Just like you did, I hotwired it, so I could get back to working on the farm, instead of swearing at the engine. Pays to be good with yer hands, it seems :) .

[@CNCmachiningisfun]

*KARK IT,* you skammer!

[@brucemoriarty9964]

The more toys the more problems? Then you have Engineers. But I love ya shows. Simply put and explained. Thanks for ya hard work that you do.

[@OlysGarage]

I want nothing newer than my 2003 F150. The newer they get, the more full of stupidity the vehicles become. Great Vid! You're one helluva smart cookie, proves that the dealers still haven't locked out all the little guys from messing with their vehicles.

[@wes11bravo]

Oly - I love the idea (as a total amateur wrench turner) of using a decent scan tool to isolate trouble, locate bad sensors, etc. I hate the concept of proprietary "modules" designed only to force people to go to the dealership for service. (I drive an 01 Jeep TJ)

[@OlysGarage]

@@wes11bravo i can agree with that. These integrated modules are nothing more than legal theft when it comes to parts replacement. I remember needing a new reflector lense foe a door panel for my then 1999 Explorer. They refused to sell the lense, only the entire panel assy! Well a trip to the junkyard solved that issue... Just ridiculous!

[@galatians515]

Great video, first off, that looks like a 6.2l, they don't use the 5.0 in the super duty. And yes it is probably that fuse box, I have replaced several for different reasons, one was a no start such as this. To replace that fuse box you have to remove the entire front end of the vehicle including the lights, bumper, and grill. It is a very long and kind of painful process. Instead of doing what we have for the last like 50 years, Fords brilliant engineers decided we don't need connectors at the fuse box, so they just made the entire harnesses part of the fuse box. So the only way to replace the fuse box, is to replace several harnesses too. And if I remember correctly, the fuse box assembly is like $1500. What a great time to be a Ford tech, haha. I love the old stuff, but it is easy to make money on the new stuff.

[@hendo337]

Is it a 6.2? I was hoping they might have a new 7.3.

[@galatians515]

@@hendo337 watching the video again, I am pretty sure it is a 6.2

[@CrowCreekOutdoors]

You can pull the starter relay from the fuse box, and put a jumper wire from the hot pin to the the starter pin, and it’ll do the same thing you’re doing by hooking the cables directly to the starter. Had a no start problem with my 08 model. I rigged a push button to a jumper wire on the ignition relay & it worked just like a push button start as long as the switch was on. It me over a year to figure out what the problem was. I had the right fender liner off working on something else & noticed the wiring harness had fallen behind the engine, lodging it between the firewall & the engine block. It had melted the coating off four wires and they were shorted out. The intake had been replaced maybe a year before the problems, and I figure when the mechanic replaced it, the wiring harness got displaced to where it was.

[@Mr.M1STER]

Quick and nasty fix but it works. I agree with you that whoever fitted the vet box and left that cover off that fuse panel is more than likely to blame here.

[@ffarmchicken]

Thank you for showing this. I was thinking of buying a new Ford F-250 this year for the farm. Looks like I’ll keep fixing my old 81 Ford F-250, which I can in the barn with my own tools. And I couldn’t see the engine under all that crap in your video.

[@Brandon68plus1]

Too much electronics on these $100k trucks nowadays. I'll pass.

[@shitloveaduck]

Like he said, it is likely the Vet Box installation and not a Ford issue.

[@yamaha226]

You-tube strikes again. How many are on the road with no issues at all. Plenty.

[@shitloveaduck]

@@yamaha226 - People are soo funny too. See a simple video like this, the guy is biased that’s fine we all are somewhat, but he even says that it’s likely not Ford’s issue and someone alters a tens of thousands of dollars decision, just like that!! Haha. Serves the people right a bit as well. Bit of a hard attitude, but some people really have lost touch of the real world,,,.

[@shitloveaduck]

@BL Dontmatter - It COULD happen to anyone that has an accessory installed poorly, yes. The accessory caused the failure so if it was a Ram, GM, Toyota, Nissan,,,, it would still be a failure of the installation or accessory installed and not the vehicle they installed it on. The accessory disabled the vehicle. I do “accept” that.

[@ralphmadera4366]

I’m glad for her, whatever it takes, you got it running !

[@adamperry2147]

Have a 2004 GMC pickup that I bought used. Previous owner clapped it out with aftermarket lights and a radio, and other lovely "options". Terrible wiring job. I couldn't keep a battery in that thing. Turns out, after replacing all wiring for all of the lights and sockets, a $25.00 aftermarket radio was causing enough parasitic drain to kill the battery down to 10.5 volts, triggering the low voltage lockout on everything. I replaced the head unit, properly crimped and heat shrunk the leads in the dash and no problem since. It is amazing how such a minute thing can ruin your day. Great job figuring that one out!

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Hark the banjos! Subed! I drove an older Ford van (1990 something-ish) for work. It had a peculiar issue where when turning the steering wheel, a puff of smoke would come out of the dash board. The company mechanics couldn't figure out what the problem was so they gave me a new van! Don't get me wrong, I love Ford and Chevy vehicles but my last Ford was a toploader 67 Mustang.

[@danielmcqueen1024]

You should have mounted a Push Start Button inside the ashe tray... That's how I started my 1971 LTD for 12 years after the ignition went bad... Key would turn full circle with no start. So key on and push to start button... plus semi anti theft device... don't get more Georgia Red Neck than that 🤣😂😁😎

[@johnhull6363]

The animal rescue work is the most admirable trait I can imagine anyone possessing, big ups to you for your work

[@GC_420]

Well, theres yer problem! @4:05 the com-pu-ter says yer door is a jar - and your hood too! Better get those jars replaced with Official Furd parts :P

[@ThunderHead289]

😂😂😂😂

[@auntbarbara5576]

"Pretendgineers", love that, gotta borrow that one! Glad you took care of this without the stealership. Good job, kudos to u as always. Ur a true "car guy". Its in ur DNA👌

[@racer193wr]

I hope you put this video up after you took the truck to the dealer.. good to see you again sir. Your wife is doing good work, its one hell of a job that is much needed.. good on you for keeping her truck running..

[@kenleppek]

So a friend of mine has a 14 or 15 F150 which had intermittent no starts. He also smelled a leak in an electrical smoke hose and the truck is now at the dealer awaiting a back ordered complete wire harness. It's a good thing he had the extended warranty because, though he is a certified technician, he gets to play the part of impatient customer.

[@frankrizzo5057]

Happy to see its usable so your wife can have her tools for work. I am a carb guy for the most part so you know what I know and more. Glad it did get a permanent fix.

[@Hobodeluxe960]

I'd run the wires up to the cab and put in a pushbutton under the dash or something until you can get if fixed proper.

[@beercanrich99]

My thoughts exactly. And if Ford won't cover it under warranty because of the VetBox install I'd just leave the pushbutton in there as an anti-theft device!

[@kevinkirschenheuter1479]

Its a ford, running a wire and a house light switch IS the correct repair procedure.

[@chieftain3588]

I had to do this on my 53 Chieftain. Found out the signal wire was bad, the vibration caused the wire to move in a way it wouldn't ohm beep. Anyway, good call on using old electrical wiring!

[@Fordman7575]

Gotta love the new overly complicated stuff! Give me a classic carbed vehicle any day of the week!

[@toddsonic]

With a good diagram (the newest I can find is for a 2019) it won't be too bad to wire in a external relay while maintaining the factory functionality, but as built it's soldered to the PCB inside the module requiring a complete replacement. If it was mine and they wouldn't warrenty it I would be doing a external bypass. To bad they didn't use the factory provided connections when they upfitted it, that would have prevented this from happening in the first place, that's why they are there afterall...

[@thefordmaniac]

Yep hackey install on that vet box

[@chadoakes8002]

Great video Uncle Luke thank you for all your knowledge you are one smart man I wish I had all the knowledge you did but I definitely learn a lot from watching you and and junkyardigs Kevin you guys are great thank you for all your hard work

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

I was thinking the hackaround you came up with at the end Luke. Run it off the old ignition starter lead relay to a little wire with a race start button.. why not, hide it up under the dash and be done with it. It's not like it would run without the key anyway, and the stealership could take a month or more to get it back to you. Nice work!

[@TheHandyHam73]

The starter relay is built into the fuse box assembly and it sounds like that has shorted out so you will most likely need a new fuse box assembly.

[@TheHandyHam73]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJbUopR-o9CrqtU

[@TheHandyHam73]

Body Control Module powers the start circuit.

[@almarkowbender]

Gotta love pretendgineering $0.03 cost savings into critical components. Don't worry about the fuse box location, when the electrical system fails you can buy a new truck!

[@ironclaw6969]

Why not? It's just like the government idiots telling us that if you can't afford $5 a gallon gas, go buy a $50k electric car.

[@nathanbopp6163]

This is a new truck, though

[@moosey1978]

This is why I love this channel. Just make stuff work until you can fix it correctly. I had a starter issue on an OBS and I'd just cut the key on and jump the starter for months until I finally broke down and got a starter

[@alan6832]

I have seen one of those integrated relay modules on a Nissan Titan and I think I agree. If it is off warranty and you have no cheap way to replace the whole module, then the thing to do is find the proper input and output wires to the module, from the start terminal of the ignition switch and to the solenoid, which you found already, then wire in a new relay. Then go to a self serve car wash and spray wax the whole thing.

[@Aaron-qg8fo]

TSB for it! I've replaced many of those fuse boxes for the same concern. Edit: there is a big 2 wire connector by the RH battery that feeds the starter. You can jump it right there.

[@ow741]

On the 2007 to around 2018 Ford Expeditions the fuse box is placed right at the front where you grab the thing to open the hood. Its really convenient.

[@NeedsMoreToys]

I had a Karmann Ghia with a bad ignition switch so created a nifty push button, hidden hotwire bypass. Made the car a lot harder to steal. Simpler than yours for sure but love how you think.

[@PaulCTownsend]

Also good job to the dealer and Ford Motor company for stepping up to fixing something they really didn't have to.

[@glennnickerson8438]

No matter what you work on or what you post Uncle Luke--it's always a treat!

[@donho9670]

Sounds like my '99 savana van, Luke. GM's wisdom of putting the ECM/PCM directly under the drainage area for all sorts of windshield muck.

[@dandrson7903]

Chrysler built the fuel pump relay into the board on my 2011 Ram 1500. That relay started failing a little after 100k miles. I found a aftermarket bypass relay that plugged into the board for an easy fix; however, someone with soldering skills can remove and replace the relay in a matter of minutes and for less money. I think I spent 60 bucks on that relay bypass. It's still work working after three or so years and 20k miles.

[@mr.gutterwater4479]

0:54 please make a vid on that lawn mower carb running a v8 thats seems hella cool an ive always wanted to see something wacky like that done

[@ThunderHead289]

You will in fact see it tomorrow 🙂

[@Quacks0]

2:54 "Pretend-geneers" --- good one, Dude! Sounds like something that the guy on ViseGrip Garage or AvE would have said --- they always are coming up with clever word-plays like that. :P :D

[@Dumbass_mechanic]

Desperate times call for Desperate measures right? If you pursue fixing it right, you need to get a wiring diagram for the truck and find out where the small wire on the starter comes from. You're probably correct that the relay is integrated into the fuse box, both Ford and dodge as well as some imports have done that for over 20 years now. There also has to be some type of neutral safety, whether there is a switch, or if there is something electronically where a module has to see the truck in park or neutral in order for it to send a signal to the starter to start the truck. This is a good creative fix so that she can use the truck. You could put a push button switch or even a house light switch there so that the wires don't break off.

[@gregedwards1921]

Love. Your videos, you're a good engineer and teacher, I've learned a lot!

[@Wesleystewart78]

Most ford's I've messed with if you unplug the maf they won't idle works great for shutting them off when they have a issue like that

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Luke :) also heard big recall on lots Ford Vechiles of Electrical issues and much more for that year too such shame happening too!

[@Tojen-pt8um]

Aftermarket installers are some of the biggest electrical hacks out there. I've had countless guys come to me with electrical issues on camper shells, flat beds, trailers, etc that pretty much have had problems since the purchase was made. Just crazy that people have that little pride in what they do.

[@KiwiStag74]

I had a 2004 VZ Holden Commodore SV6 (you guys know it as a Chevrolet Lumina S but with a 190kW Alloytec V6) for about 7 years. One day I started it up, drove to a mate's place about a mile away to pick up a part for one of my classics, went to start it and I got dash lights but no working gauges. The starter would not turn and then the computer started popping up messages about failed sensors and such. Long story short, it was the ECU located on the front of the engine that had shat itself. Apparently they have this propensity for allowing moisture in and all the earths inside the unit get a layer of corrosion on them and stop working. (If that's the case, putting the unit on the front of the engine is a little.....um....silly, wouldn't you think? But hey, I only had an ordinary education.) After getting it towed to the dealership at great expense, the dealer showed me a way to hotwire the starter in the relay box by taking out the relay and jumping two pins. Had I known that before getting the car towed in, I would have done it and saved the cost, but they never mentioned it on the phone. I sold it soon after getting it fixed and will now only drive classics and keep well away from anything that has a computer in it, which is ironic, because I am a computer engineer by trade!

[@ThunderHead289]

That’s hilarious, same deal - I’m an automation engineer 😂 I roll carbureted any day I can.

[@richardsink9198]

A new stand alone Relay is your best bet. Find your start wire from your ignition and you are golden!

[@americanjoetv1390]

Solid work brother. Even though I was trained on the new things by the dealership, I still prefer the old ways. At least it's not from the late 80s to early 90s. A ford mechanic once told me that Ford doesn't need mechanics, They need magicians lol

[@josephcivita1450]

This is why I love old school vehicles.

[@lamarcdesign]

A true new vid. Thanks alot for still making content from time to time. Kind of a nice touch that the vids come now kinda surprisingly once in a while

[@applefordguy76]

You're correct Luke. The responsibility falls on the company that installed the box. I work at a Ford dealer, and we've replaced those boxes and sometimes the main harness, due to installers leaving the cover off exposed to the elements. Under hood fuse boxes have been on all makes of vehicles for decades. Might be a stupid place to put it, right under the cowl, but the cover definitely protects from the elements. And btw thats not a Coyote, its a 6.2. :) Pretty good of that dealer to cover it. These aftermarket installers are typically hacks unfortunately.

[@eliminator1978]

Agreed. I’ve seen some terrible wiring from aftermarket installers. Even outfitters that rig service trucks every day.

[@charlesking1244]

Good Seeing You Luke, You’re Ingenuity Is Impeccable Good Sir.. That’s A Crazy Design, Wiring, Electrical Schematics Are Nuts On These Modern Vehicles.. Makes It Hard For Most To Get Along With Their Work Day, With The Rig Down, Tied Up In A Shop, Over Something Like This..

[@manuspupillo5169]

I think Ford has a collab, with Audi, so no.one can fix stuff anymore 😃 greetz from Germany P.S : please make more content, i love your Stuff 😃

[@jeffschwartz5199]

Lol , I had a 67 Mercury Cougar in the mid 70's. Kinda the same thing happened , I wired in switch and ran it like that . Turned out to be the "Park safety switch" on the trans became unhooked or something 🤔. 👍awesome trouble shooting and mickey rigging it together

[@neilduncan8657]

I guess I am getting old...but it seems the big threes trucks are made cheaper and less serviceable by us skilled shade tree mechanics..built to fail with many integrated parts...I watch you cause my affection for the ford small block....1984 Datsun 200sx ford 302 GT40 T5 swap.....actually easy to work on very reliable

[@garyruark9506]

Good work around. My 2019 Chevy Silverado has one intermittent thing that causes it to sometimes stall when shifting from reverse to forward. It happens when the truck is on a incline like my driveway or a parking spot with one. Dealer says it has to do it when they check inorder to find it because it doesn't set a code and there is no TSB for it. Of course it never does it when at the dealer. I figure it has to be something between the gear shift and engine. But there are probably several systems interconnected with that. A GM engineer might have some ideas but I don't know any so I live with it. Modern vehicles!!!

[@bernhard8540]

One of the most useful tools for vehicle electronics that I've ever bought is the "power probe" it's so useful 😀 but glad you got it going for her 😀

[@davidweidner1675]

Good to see you back on the channel 👍

[@mikeramsay7682]

You're correct. The start relay is integral to the BJB (Battery Junction Box) and is not a serviceable part. I'm a service manager at a Ford dealership and have seen this issue. The BJB includes the whole harness that runs to it, and out of it. With all the great wisdom of the engineers that designed this , they didn't make the BJB (which is an electronic fuse box) detachable from the harness, with connectors. Pure IDIOCY.... Not a fun repair.

[@ThunderHead289]

Thank you for confirming my potential issue - this new stuff is really foreign to me, especially after the 2008ish era

[@fordmud]

Definitely agree on the poor engineering on ford's part for that fuse box, caused me alot of issues on fleet rigs. However that wiring is atrocious, very common mess though. I'm just tired of fixing other people's extremely poor wiring on vehicles, it really doesn't take much extra effort to do things correctly and neatly. Especially with the options Ford has now for aftermarket upfits.

[@brentfarvors192]

It's time to "kick the habit"; I sleep SO MUCH BETTER knowing with basic maintenance, my Tacoma will NEVER leave me stranded...POS Ford's!!!

[@deadtreebark]

Ford has the worst fuse box and most problems other than some foreign brands

[@baine5.7]

probably a lot of comments saying don't buy new fords ,I personally own a 2014 tundra crewmax 5.7 and have had 0 recalls or problems im at 156,000 still going strong as expected from toyota, maybe it's time to upgrade ,hell even a those new gmc full size trucks are extremely reliable from what I hear .

[@michaeldemel4934]

I pretty much did the same thing you did for my dad's 2006 F250. We couldn't find the problem for the no start problem (could have been the key switch, clutch switch or a broken wire somewhere). The truck was getting to the point it wasn't worth spending a bunch of money on it (basically a farm truck) or having many days of down time. So I just drilled a hole in a spot in the dash that could not be easily bumped and put in a momentary toggle switch down to the starter solenoid. He drove it like that for several yeas until the 5.4 took a dump. Just had to remember to make sure it was out of gear or push the clutch in or you'd have bad time.😄

[@markcollins457]

Great fix, I have been kicking around for a while and I've always said fix it like a farmer. That's not a bad thing but most farmers need things working "NOW" and cheap call it what you want if it's working it must be good.

[@fredkemp1444]

Love the commentary. As far as I am concerned the newer these vehicles get the dumber they get. My F150 is an 04 I don't even like it. I miss my 1981 300i6. When this 04 goes I am going back old school.

[@bleeedthebrakes]

Ford has some nice options for auxilary power output which I've seen Wes form Watch Wes Work dealing with before IMO those kind of wiring should avoid altering stock wiring/fusebox etc. as much as they can Also if my memory serves me right, Ford designed the 2022 trucks that if the tumbler weren't turned to the start position at least once, the coils and injectors won't fire, which is really stupid Nice vid, glad things worked out for you

[@TinManKustoms]

This is the main reason I continue to drive older vehicles cause the new ones are almost impossible to work on. They load the new vehicles up with so much junk and no space to work on them. The company I worked for had a ford van and the battery and fuse panel are under the driver seat the only way to get to it unbolt the seat

[@Ian-of9oi]

My friend has a 2020 Mustang GT with a similar problem but it’s not every time. He’s also got a blow box in it so it has extra wires going to the fuse box.

[@baileyconnors8988]

Just had to put a new one of these in at work. Ford has a TSB out for water intrusion. No matter what if it has had water intrusion it gets replaced per TSB.

[@lillpee]

My f250 has 2 fuse boxes. One under the hood, and one on the passenger side kick panel. It's a diesel, but I would think yours has the same. Also check your transmission wires. My Nissan had a wire disconnect, and it made the car think it was not in park, and it wouldn't start. I'm not sure if anyone else commented the same info, there are alot of comments

[@rogercpate4386]

Did something similar to a 74 GMC Pickup when key ignition broke and key went round and round. Some wire, and tune up remote starter, and some luck, I was able to make it to junkyard to by a steering column.

[@Wesleyns]

Great video. Great work around to the craziness from the factory. Keep up the great content.

[@ColJonSquall1]

ah the fun times with fuse/relay blocks, lol. My dad had similar issues in his 98 intrepid, chasing wiring gremlins until he replaced the whole relay block. Once it was replaced, the car ran perfectly.

[@Motormike2025]

If it will shut off no . You could put in a pushbutton inside. So she can start it from inside . Like in the old school car's . Just a tip

[@ThunderHead289]

Like I said at the end of the video, I plan to do more. She got home at 9pm last night, i added the wires, and she left at 6 this morning.

[@smarternu]

HILARIOUS that you explained the why in your post. Love it! we are allergic to the same things. Helping a vet may lead to you needing a doctor. Go figure!

[@kellyshilka9860]

Classic over plastic, not related to Ford however, my gm 2011 had melted the underside of the fuse panel (plastic smell burning) things stopped working. Luckily I have a great mechanic caught it right away and replaced on the cheap for me. Countless hrs transferring wires from one to the other going on 2 years no issues since.

[@johnnylom9915]

Ill stick to old school stuff. 99% of the time have been able to get myself out of trouble with the old school stuff. Not keen on the newer stuff as too much electronics and lets face it the new stuff is made a lot cheaper than the old stuff. Like to see what that truck looks like in 30 years. Good video

[@kaidenlem]

It’s a little different but the exact thing happened to my 2002 Jeep TJ. I ended up just wiring a push button with fuse directly to the starter, just turn key to run and push button to start. Doesn’t bother me at all, whatever works.

[@jeffgrose9218]

I don't know if they still have it in the newer Ford trucks. But the mid to late 2000s had issue's with their 'OTIS' system that would cause this EXACT issue. I have a 2008 that went through many hours at the dealership to no success until 1 day I finally found the culprit. What would happen is they had a starter diode in what used to be the 4wd auxillary relay box under the hood (left fender). That diode would blow and I'd be left with the same issue as your wife. Replace the diode, issue fixed, until it blew again. It ended up being a faulty female ATM Maxi fuse in the kickpanel fuse box. It looked perfect and wasn't totally blown. But once it'd heat up enough, some piece of that big copper connection would let go, which would eventually tank that diode. Like I said, I don't know if the new Fords have a similar stupid setup, but just a suggestion that it could be, as the symptoms are identical to what I was facing.

[@matthewcampbell8071]

I was watching a spencer lawn care video and they had a similar problem with it not shutting off and the dealer said it was common and the fuse box needed to be replaced. Check it out and that might just solve your problems. Thanks for the video!

[@wes11bravo]

All prospective motor vehicle engineers should have to work alongside actual mechanics for a year as a part of earning their degree.

[@ThunderHead289]

I was a mechanic long before I was ever an engineer myself 🙂

[@brucemiyamoto1001]

Makes too much sense. What works in a lab doesn't necessarily works in the real world. Most engineers design for production not for repair. If someone has access to the starting circuit diagrams and can provide it to Thunderhead 289, it might help him.

[@wes11bravo]

@@ThunderHead289 - Luke, I don't know if the path you took was deliberate or not but I think we both would agree that being a mechanic in turn made you a better engineer.

[@ronniewilliz153]

I agree.

[@ronniewilliz153]

What works on paper dose not always work on the field.

[@study650]

I love your, not so subtle, sarcasm.

[@scottmagoch5367]

New electronic gremlins,had a 19 f 250 do the same thing,ran a jumper/starter button at the starter relay on the drivers side relay box to get him going,needed ecm under the hood,passenger side,would not give the ground signal for starter relay,might help you

[@trevormangus7832]

There is a recall or a TSB on the fuse box for water intrusion the replacement box has a sealed lid also. You need to get one ordered at your dealership

[@mken4740]

I’m glad you find the Ford Engineering department laughable as-well! I am a motor nut from up in Clear Lake, I enjoy the content.